CA1249856A - Door handle mount - Google Patents
Door handle mountInfo
- Publication number
- CA1249856A CA1249856A CA000473106A CA473106A CA1249856A CA 1249856 A CA1249856 A CA 1249856A CA 000473106 A CA000473106 A CA 000473106A CA 473106 A CA473106 A CA 473106A CA 1249856 A CA1249856 A CA 1249856A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- spindle
- spring
- handle
- trim plate
- trim
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05B—LOCKS; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR; HANDCUFFS
- E05B3/00—Fastening knobs or handles to lock or latch parts
- E05B3/06—Fastening knobs or handles to lock or latch parts by means arranged in or on the rose or escutcheon
- E05B3/065—Fastening knobs or handles to lock or latch parts by means arranged in or on the rose or escutcheon with spring biasing means for moving the handle over a substantial distance, e.g. to its horizontal position
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10S292/60—Adjustment provisions
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10S292/61—Spring devices
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10T292/57—Operators with knobs or handles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T292/00—Closure fasteners
- Y10T292/82—Knobs
Abstract
DOOR HANDLE MOUNT
Abstract A door handle mount for a door having a rotatable spindle for operating a latch includes a lever handle cantilevered on the spindle and a trim plate having a spring resiliently biasing the spindle to seek a home position. The home position sought by the trim plate spring may be changed by relocating a movable stop. The user selectively biases the home position of the spindle to accommodate the cantilevered weight of the lever handle, to alter the bias from one direction to the other, or the temporarily cancel the bias during installation of the latch mechanism and trim.
Abstract A door handle mount for a door having a rotatable spindle for operating a latch includes a lever handle cantilevered on the spindle and a trim plate having a spring resiliently biasing the spindle to seek a home position. The home position sought by the trim plate spring may be changed by relocating a movable stop. The user selectively biases the home position of the spindle to accommodate the cantilevered weight of the lever handle, to alter the bias from one direction to the other, or the temporarily cancel the bias during installation of the latch mechanism and trim.
Description
Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention ~ .
This invention relates to the field of door latch apparatus, and in particular to a trim apparatus to be paired with a handle and moun~ed externally from the lock, the trim apparatus being adapted to the physical attr~butes of the particular handle, to cancel any variation in operational effects of the handle fm m a norm, for example, the cantilevered weight of the handle.
This invention relates to the field of door latch apparatus, and in particular to a trim apparatus to be paired with a handle and moun~ed externally from the lock, the trim apparatus being adapted to the physical attr~butes of the particular handle, to cancel any variation in operational effects of the handle fm m a norm, for example, the cantilevered weight of the handle.
2 escription of the Prior Art .
Closure mechanisms for doors are mDre and more frequently designed with lever handies rather than doork~cbs to effect retraction of a bolt or the like. Handle mechanisms are usually cantilevered on a spindle, that is, a substantial portion of the weight of the lever handle is disposed asymmetrically around the axis of the spindle, whereby the foroe of gravity urges the spindle to rotate. The latch mechanism is normally spring-biased against rotation of the spindle, but with a very long or heavy handle, it may be necessary to somehow bias the lever handle to stay at a hcme position in order to prevent spontaneous opening of the latch mechanism.
~ lthough use of a lever handle causes an uneven weigh~ to be mounte~ on the spindle, such a lever handle is much easier for people to operate than the conventional doorknob in which the user-gripped portion of the latch is a smooth body having portions sym~etrically distributed around the axis of the spindle. Lever handles are normally easier to grasp than knobs, and allcw the user greater leverage on the spindle to cause retraction of the bolt mechanism and open the door. Lever handles are therefore preferable over knobs in many instanoe s. In some instances, lever handles are a necessity, for example, closures adapted for use in areas where users may be expected to be frequently carrying loads, and public buildings and the like which must be fully accessible to handicapped persons.
Standlrds for le~er handles for use by handicapped persons go beyond the simple requirement oE a cantilevered lever portion. A
handle oontour in the shape of a "C" is required according to some ~.
4 ~ ~ tj~
6tandards such that the greater part of the body of the lever handle is spaced (~ ~, 2 in. or 5.0 cm.~ fram the door, and th~ extreme end of the lever handle will be disposed within a nunimNm distan oe (e.g., 0.5 in. or 1.3 cm.) of the surfaoe of the door. The additional weight due to the segment spacing the end of th~ lev~r handle within the nu~Lunum distanoe required by the standards, results m a substantial adlitional weight placed well away fram the turning axis of the devioe , that is, the spindle. Of oourse, a rel~tively smaller weight placed at a greater distance from the axis will have the sa~e rokational force, or ~moment arm," as a relatively larger weight placed closer to the axis.
Use of a lever handle on a latch mechanism in which the spindle is rokatable in either direction is difficult because of the uneven load of the lever h2ndle. It has been known in the art to bias cantilevered lever handles agaLnst the foroe of gravity by use of a positive stcp defining a "hcme" position of the latch mechanism, the stap restricting spi~dle rotation to one direction. U.S. Patent No.
2,470,771-Harvey discloses a lever handle and bolt retraction nEchanism in which a coil spring wrapped around a hub attached to the spindle, within a mortise lock, biases the spindle against angular displacement from a home position. An additional ooil spring m~Nnted an a shaft carrying the retractable bolt also urges the hub and s~pindle to rotate opposite the kolt retraction direction. In other wsrds, the bolt spring biases t~he lever handle upwards against the for oe of gravity, an extension of a hub mounted to the spindle being resiliently urged against an imnovable ~butment within the latch ~echanism.
According to devices such as that of Harvey, it is known in the art to oppose the weight of a lever handle by biasing the handle uçwardly against a stop. The rest position of the lever handle may therefore be set at precisely horizontal, for optimNm accessiblity and neat ap~earance. No sagging of the handle position is expected because handle position does not relate to a balancing of springs which will wear and sag. During wear of the biasing springs in even a positively stopped latch, however, a lever handle which is inadequately biased upwards will tend to sag, leaving play in the lock and possibly causing spontaneous opening of the door. A lever handle which is disposed at all below horizontal in its rest position is noticeably slqppy in appearance. Therefore, it is oonventional practioe in the prior art to str~ngly bias the lever handle upwards.
According to prior art devices havinq a given biasing spring associated with a part of the latch mechanism for upwardly biasing the position of the lever handle, regardless of the handle or knob mounted on the spindle in a particular installation, the full upward force defined by the biasing spring remains. This bias is determined by the latch mechanism and is not variable as required for a certain handle.
Therefore, the user of any latch nEchanism was necessarily required to exert sufficient foroe to overoume the biasing built in for the worst case situation, that is, for a heavy cantilevered lever handle mEchanism.
m e present invention takes a different view of the use of lever handles, knobs and the like. According to the invention, the latch mechanism is prDvided with the ~inimum, rather than the maximum, foroe necessary to maintain the home position of the spindle. In other w~rds, the internal portion of the latch mechanism is adapted for reliable operation with the lightest of possible handles, rather than the heaviest. External tr~m fittings which are matched to the particular desired handle, offset the weight of the handle.
Acoordingly, it is possible to pr~vide a nearly balanoed, easily operated latch mechanism and a more or less biased external trim plate, as needed to balanoe the physical attributes of the particular knob or handle.
The variable bias trim nechanism aooDrding to the invention is aocomplished using a movable "home~ position defined by springs in the trim. m e mechanis~m is useful not only for ~cccrrDdbting various handle mechanisms and various moment anms, but also for acoommodating u~yusite handle mountings in which the direction of the spring bias must be reversed. According to the invention, one need only move the adjustable portion of the trim plate that defines the bias spring hcme position from one side of center to the other, in order tD change the trim bias from clockwise to counter-clockwise. Acoordingly, the trim is equally operable to bias lever handles on both sides of the door, a lever handle on one side and knob on the other, or as may otherwise be required for a range of handle nenbers.
U.S. Patent No. 2,729,485-Schlage shows a coil spring disposed in the trim on the surfaoe of a dcor, the coil spring being adapted to PZ~9l3~6 maintain a lever handle at a home posi~ion. Heavier springs are recomrended in connection with heavier lever handles, and the heavier springs are mDunted in trim mechanisms associated especially with such handles. The device relates spring tension to the lever handle, ~ut even given the foregoing description, Schlage fails to employ a mavable home position, whreby installation is facilitated and the devi oe is equally applicable to either side of the door. Instead, Schlage uses the device with a spindle which is rotatable in either direction to withdraw the boltO Accordingly, with wear on the springs, the Schlage device will be expected to sag, the unequal load caused by the cantilevered lever handle eventually altering the single spring's rest position or placing unequal stress on tw~ opposed springs. The Schlage dcvice is apparently designed to maintain symmetrical force around at least one immovable centering tab.
Therefore, even if the symmetrical nature of the devioe was somehow defeated, the user would be required to manually oppose the bias in onder to mount the respective parts, because of the immovable nature of the centering tab.
According to the present invention, not only a heavier spring, but also a movable hcme position may be associated with the trim mounted on the surfaoe of the door. Users need not therefore avercame worst-case biasing forces in order to use various cperators, mcluding lever h~dles. Installers need not overoame biasing at all in order to ~lign the trim for correct installation.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to p~ovide a surface moNnted trim mechanism tha~ adapts a range of handles, Lncluding l~ver handles, to a standard latch mechanism.
It is also an object of the invention to facilitate installation of a trim nechanism having means for biasing rotation of a spindle carried by the tr~m mEchanism.
It is another object of the invention to mLnimize insofar as possible the rotational force required to operate a latch mRchanism.
It is yet another object of the in~7ention to adapt a range of handles, including a variety of le~ers and knbbs, to a given latch mechanism using a bias-adjustable trim plate, the trim plate and c~erall canstruction being durable, inexpensive and dependable.
These and other objects are accomplished by a door handle mDunt for a door ha~ing a latch mechanism operable by rotation of a spindle, the spindle extending from the latch mechanism beyond a surfaoe of the door, the spindle being normally held at an angular position on the axis thereof defined by the latch mechanism, the mount comprising a lever handle rotationally fixed on the spindle, the handle being cantilevered on the spindle, gravity urging the spindle to rota~e; a trim plate n~unted on the surface of the door, the trim plate carrying a spring resiliently cpQosLng rDtation of the spindle fram an angular home position defined by the spring; and, means for altering the angular home position of the spring. ffl e door handle mount preferably employs a rotaticnal element disposed within the trim plate and fixed with respect to the spindle, a coil sprLng attache between the rotational element and a portion of the trim fixed to the door body exerting a force at least when the spindle is mDved from hcme position. In order to alter the biasing to accommcdate a lever handle of a different weight or moment arm, the abutment point between the spring and either the trim or the rotational element can be angularly displaced to change the amount of biasing force. Although such angular displaoement increases the rotational force required to o~erate the latch mechanism, the adjustable nature of the devioe allows the increase in rotational foroe to be set to the minimNm re~uired for optimum operation with a particular lever handle.
9~6 ~6--There are shown in the drawnngs the embsd}m.nts which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shcwn in the drawings, wherein.
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the handle mDunt of the invention, the door being shown in phantom;
Fig. l(a~ is a detail exploded perspective view of a portion of the mDunt of Fig. l;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the asse~bled device according to the invention, as adapted for use with a rtise lo~k;
Fig. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of the portion of the mDrtise lock by which the upward rotation of the lever handle is limited;
Fig. 4 is a rear ele~ation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and, Figs. 5~a), 5(b) and 5~c) are perspective views of alternative lever handle embodlments.
Detailed ~escri~tion of the Preferred Embcdiments Aooording to the invention, the weight which is applied externally to the spindle of a latch mechanism by use of a non-symmetrical handle is offset ~y a movable biasing arrangement m the trim mechanism. As shown m Fig. 1, the parts required to acoomplish offsetting or biasing the lever handle or other operator are all mounted at the surface of a door 100, whereby the particular latch mechanism 66 can be standardized for a symmetrical or light-weight operator, rather than the worst ca æ cantilevered operator. m e trim offsets the load produced by the handle. me latch mechanism may be a light-weight or easily operated device, rather than a heavily biased mechanism in which springs for maintaining spindle position are chosen to offset the worst case expected load.
With reference to Fig. 1, different operators may be used ~ven on opposite sides of the same latch. Cantilevered handle 20 is shown mounted on one side of door 100, and symmetrical knob 40 on the other side. Spindle 30 may be a twc-segment device in which relatively rotatable ends are centrally attached by means of a threaded connection 38 (shown in Fig. 3), or the spindle 30 may be a rigid monolithic element, whereby the operation of either knob 40 or handle 20 would cause the opposite operator to rotate as well.
Handle 20 and knob 40 differ in that handle 20 is cantilevered with respect to the axis of spindle 30, and knob 40 is symmetrically weighted. Therefore, the force of gravity will urge spin le 30 to rotate ~clockwise in Fig. 1) to plaoe the center of mass of handle 20, spaced frcm the axis of spindle 30, at the lowest possible point.
Handle 20, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a bacXward-turned extension 22 at the end of handle 20 opposite the spindle end, aggravating the tendency of sp ndle 30 to rotate, due to the mament anm, or leverage, exerted by weight 22 as spaced from the axis of spindle 30.
Both handle 20 and knob 40 are ~ored and broached to be axially mc~nted on spindle 30 and rotationally fixed thereto. Knbb 40 and handle 20 are also preferably axially fixed to spindle 30, for example, by means of transverse set screws directed against spindle 30, as known in the art. As shown in Fig. 1, in a preferred enbodlme~t, handle 20 is axially fixed to a flanged cylinder 26 by means of a nut 28 which is threadably affixed to an extension 24 of handle 20, after the extension is passed through a close-fitting hole in cylinder 26. Handle nut 28 is not threaded down tightly against cylinder 26, but instead, in order to allow relati~e rotation of handle 20 and cylinder 26, nut 28 is loosely threaded on extension 24, after which the threads of extension 24 are damaged to prevent removal of nut 28. Cylinder 26 is internally threaded to fit on rosette 34, also bored and broached to fit on the spindle. Upon installation, handle 20 (or knob 40) moves together with spindle 30 and rosette 34.
The axial position of spindle 30 with respect to latch nechanism 66 is determined by spindle pin 32, which passes transversely through a hole in spindle 30. In order to preclude axial movement of spindle 30 in either direction, an additional spindle pin (not shown) should be provided on the knob side of the door. In any event, the protruding portion of pin 32 is larger than the axial hole in the latch mechanism, preventing axial displacement of spindle 30.
The trim is rigidly mcunted directly to the surface of door 100 by ~eans of screws 42. Acoordingly, the base portion 62 of the trim plate is rigidly affixed to the door. In the event that a trim plate having non-circular external contour is used, it is important to correctly align base plate 62 of the trim plate before attaching it to the door. Use of a circular trim, as shcwn in Fig. 1, makes the ul~imate alignment less important for aesthetic reasons, h~wever, whether a circular or other type of trim plate is used, accordins to the invention, the trim backplate 62 must be correctly aligned in order to provide an offset foroe to counteract the cantilevered weight of handle 20. Inasmuch as the bias is in the trim, the trim is urged to rotate with respect to the hancle so long as the trim is unattached and/or the handle subject to a stop. OpFosing the biasing force inherent in the trim is difficult during installation of the trim, because only the backplate of the trim itself, and the relatively small diameter spindle, are ac oe ssible at that time. The installer may theiefore need to engage the spindle or trim with pliers in order to oppose the biasing force. According to the invention, h~wever, the bias is adjustable by mnving the effective home position, whereby the bias may be cancelled temporarily during installation.
Trim backplate 62 is centrally bored such that spindle 30 may rotate freely with respect to backplate 62. The trim includes the s~
additional rosette element 34, which is rotationally fixed t~ the spindle, and free to rotate within certain constraints, wqth respect to trim bac~plate 62. RDsette 34 is axially attached to backplate 62 using a washer and spring clip. The rotational freedom of motion of rotatable rosette 34, and the resultant freedom of mDtion of spindle 30, is determined by coil spring 36, which is oc~pressed from its rest position shown m Fig. 1 such that the ends of ~pring 36 press inwardly on extending pin 50. Pin 50 is rigidly kut mDvably mo~n~ed to trim backplate 62 by screw 56. Spring 36 also presses i~wardly on tab 44, extend mg from rotatable trim element 34. me coil spring exerts a force symmetrically inward arcund a home position detelmined by alignment of the tab 44 and pin 50. As rotational force is exerted on spindle 30 or handle 20, the spindle 30 and rotatable roætte ele~ent 34 rotabe. As the spindle rotates, tab 44 carries one or the other ends of coil spring 36 aw~y from pin 50 against the resilient for oe of the spring. ~hen the handle is released, coil spring 36 recoils toward its rest position and draws tab 44 back inbD alignment with pin 50, ~ringing the handle back to its hcme position. Trim cGver plate 60 threads onto backplate 62, concealing and prD~ecting the parts of the devioe.
m e aforesaid operation of coil sprLng 36 is added to any resilient bias inherent in latch mechanislm 66. Latch mechanism 66 may have an internal stap which deternines the maximum angular displacement of spindle 30 in one direction or the other. Latch mechanism 66 may also have a built in bias which is intended to offset a predetermined misbalanoe as might be caused by a lever handle~ Any biasing applied to the spindle must be overcome in operating the latch mEchanism, and therefore should be minImized. On the other hand, the lack of adequate bias, or an insufficient spring pressure, will cause the handle to droop or sag as the springs deteriorate with age and use under the weight of the handle.
The handle m~unt of the invention as asse~bled is shcwn in Fig.
2, ~ogether with a n~rtise lock. As known ~n the art, rotation of the spindle 30 (conoealed in Fig. 2) causes withdrawal of latch bolt 80, ~h~reoçon door 100 is released from a catch mcunted in the door jam.
Fig. 2 illustrates the inner or less secure side of the door, as is apparent because a turn piece ccntrol, rather than a key, contrDls extension and withdr~wal of khe lock bolt 82. Further operaticns ,G~ ~5~
det~nmined by rotation of the spindle via handle 20 will be controlled by the m~de changing nechanisms B4, 84 as known Ln the art.
With reference to Fig. 2, the decorative portion of the trim, including c~verplate 60, conceals and protects ~he mcunting means emplcyed. Preferably, ooverplate 60 is tightly fastened to the trim backplate 62, the plate 60 being rDtated using a spanner wrench.
Similarly, threaded cylLnder 26, axially affixed to handle 20 but rotatahly free thereof, is tightly fastened down on rotatable trim element 34 by maans of a spanner wrench. Accordingly, the handle 20, spindle 30 and rosette element 34 rotate together,while coverplate 60 and rearplate 62 remain attached to the door.
In order to comply with modern requir~ments for accessibility to handicapped persons, handle 20 is preferably provided with a rear-facing extension 22. In order to avDid the extensive rotational load on spindle 30 produced by a large cantilevered weight, it has been co~ventional to form handle 20 out of hollow stoc~ material, especially at handle extension 22. Various prooedures have been undertaken; however, it will be apprecia~ed that a solid metal handle is substantially more durable than a hollow tube, and provides the quality and security needed in a lock mechanism.
As shown in Fig. 3, the Lnternal workings of thle mortise lock Lnclude one or mor,e means to bias spindle 30 against a positive stop, setting the upward terminus of the lever handle. Hubs 90 are provided for each side of the door, each hub 90 being rotationally affixed to the respective ends of spindle 30. Spindle 30 is oentrally divided along a threaded connection member 38, thereby allowing the respective ends of the spindle to independently operate various portions within the n~rtise lock. As shown in Fig. 3, bDth hubs 90 oomprise extensions 92, which are adapted to rest against stop pin 88. Hubs 90 are urged against stop pin 88 by means of latch bolt operating lever 102, resiliently biased against the rear side of each hub extension 92, and also by a spring carried directly on each hub 90. A slot 94 is formed in the hub for receiving a coil spring 96. Coil spring 96 is wound around the hub and affixed by means of terminal bends to stop pin 86, and also to hub pin 98, affLxed to hub 90 and extending to slot 94. The effect is that th spindle can rotate in one direction (clockwise in Fig. 3), but the stop pin defines a ho~e position of the latch mechanism in the other direction.
In order to provide a standard mDrtise lock mechanism, it is desirable to minimize ~he biasLng force provided by the h~b springs 96, 96, by the latch bolt operating lever 102, ~nd by any other effective biasing elements. Such a light-weight or bias-fr~e ~peration allows ease of operation of the latch and lock in ~hat only a small force ~n the kn~b or handle is required in order to rotate the spindle to withdraw latch bolt 80, or to extend or withdraw lock bolt 82. It will also be apprecia~ed that the lack of bias permits use of available foroe to move the lock elements rather than merely to oppose springs.
The wrapped spring arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is especially adapted for use in a light-weight mechanism. Unlike the arrangement of coil spring 36 to bias rosette 34 against backplate 62 (see Fig.
1), in which the resFective ends of the spring are carried by pOrtiQnS
of relatively movable elements, there is virtually no relative movement between the ends of spring 96 and the pins 88, 98, to which the spring is affixed. Co~paring spring 6 (shcwn in Fig. 1~ and spring 96 (shown in Fig. 3), it will be appreciated that spring 36 will suffer a oe rtain amLunt of abrasion damage adjacent its ends due to frictional contact with pin 50 and/or tab 44. On the other hand, comparing the spring 96 shown in Fig. 3, as spindle 30 is rotated, the ends of spring 96 do not move with respect to pins 88, 98, but instead such rotation results only in a coiling or uncoiling of spring 96 along its overall length.
It will be appreciated that the spring 36 employed in the trim mechanis~m can also be formed in a coil having wrapped ends similar to that shown in Fig. 3. It is nevertheless p~esently preferred that the simple ooil spring of Fig. 1 be used m this portion of the latch mech2nism, inter alia, because it is applicable to various combin~tions of handles, passageway latches and mortise locks.
Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative enbodlment of the invention where an elongated escutcheon-type trim plate 110 is used in plaoe of the threadably attached trim plate 60 of Figs. 1 and 2. In this entodlm,nt, backplate 62 is attached to the trim plate 110 which trim plate is attached to the body of the door. In other respects, the ]mechanism is similar. In each preferred embodlment, the position of pin 50 is adjustable as required to set or c~ncel biasing foroe from spring 36. Pin 50 is preferably provided with at least tw3 angularly J~ 3856 spaced locations at which it can be locked with respect to the trim plate. As shown in Fig. 1, pin 50 is thus positioned either to the left or right of center, and rigidly attached using screw 56. Pin 50 comprises a cylindrical body carrying screw 56, which screw is threadably attachable to the cylindrical body to position pin 50 at any point along a rectangular h~le, for example at end positions 52, 54 thereof. The alternate positions 52, 54 may be straight bores, countersunk from the rear of the trim backplate 62, and attached to a threaded bore in m wable pin 50. Alternatively, holes 52, 54 can be threaded and the screw 56 inserted from the front.
The embodlment of Fig. 4 is analogous in that movable pin 50 may be placed at predetermined selec*ed positions, thereby altering the bias on the spindle. The bias may be initially set to alternately acccrmodate either a clockwise or counter-clockwise bia~.
Re~positioning pin 50 causes additional pressure to be exerted against the weight of the lever handle, through spring 36, rosette element 34 and spindle 30. Such re-positioning can be thought of as changing the "home" position sought by the trim mechanism Ln that spring 36 will tend to center trim element 34, and in particular tab 44, with respect to pin 50. Of course, the actual home position of the mechanism is set by the positive stop pin 88, located within the mortise lock, because regardless of the bias on the spindle, hub extension 92, as shcwn in Fig. 3, will positively stop rotation of the spindle (o~unterclockwise) when rested against pin 88. The change of pos}tian of pin 50 changes the extent to which spring 36 is deformed.
Therefore, rather than a change in actual h~me position normally assumed by the handle, moving the pin 50 effects a change in spring pressure or bias.
In normal installation on either the clockwise or counter-clockwise operating side of the door, the bias tending to relatively rotate the yet-to-be-attached tr~m with respect to the door, it can be quite ~ifficult to install trim backplate 62 or escutcheon plate 110 at the precise alignment required. Therefore, as shc~n in Fig. 1, the biasing trim device preferably also oomprises a renrNable spaoer, the dimensions of which spacer are selected to precisely cancel the spring bias resulting from t~e off-center placement of pin m~unting holes 52, 54. For example, when pin 50 is mounted at the left position, spacer 70 is set next to pin 50 on the right, and the respective ends of coil g~56 spring 36 are crossed to rest against pin 50 on one side and spacer 70 on the other side. With spacer 70 in place, the "home" position of trim backplate 62 is dead center. In this manner, the trim ali~nment, defined for example by the mounting holes for screws 42 in Fig. 1, may be set precisely horizontal, without the inconvenience of resisting the bias during installation as plate 62 is attached to the door.
Similarly, as shcwn in phantam in Fig. 4, the biasing-determined respective angles assumed by the trim and handle can be cancelled by means of such a spaoe r, whereupon escutcheon plate 110 may be precisely and vertically aligned with respect to the door. Having correctly placed the mcunting holes, the installer removes t~e spacer, and manually draws escutcheon plate 110 back to vertical for attachment to a rear-directed attachmen~ means (not shown). Finally, after installation, the trim plate, rather than the latch mechanism, provides the bias foroe which positively holds handle 20 at its upward maXimNm position.
m e precise am~unt of bias required to most dependably cancel the cantilevered weight of a lever handle will, of course, depend upon the precise construction of the handle. A few alternative lever har~le shapes are illustrated in Figs. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c). The handle 120 of Fig. 5(a) ccNld be expected to present a medium weight. In Fig.
5(b), the addition of the rear-extendLng portion intended to bring the end of the handle to within a given distanoe from the surface of the door causes a much larger angular imbalanoe on the spindle for handle 122, and requires a greater bias. Fig. 5(c) illustrates a oo~promise eGbodlient handle 124 in which the rear-extending portion o,f the lever handle is angled, and therefore at least a part of the weight of the handle is located closer to the axis of the mLment arm, namely, spindle 30.
For a neat appearan oe, the lever handle m~st never dip below horizontal. Even a small sagging of a lever handle is easily noticed and appears very sloppy. It is presently preferred that the home position of the lever handle, as defined by stop pin 88, be set slightly abcve horizontal, with respect to the placement of the trim plate screws and the like. This deliberate upward displaoement, for example, of one degree, makes it less likely that a minor error in aligning the mDunting screws will result in a downwardly-directed handle. The small additional misalignment Ln an upward direction is ~r ~A~
much less noticeable than any sag, and results in an acceptable appearance.
The particular bias imparted by the coil spring 36 should be chosen based upon the particular lever handle emplc~ed. As well kncwn, the force exer*ed by a spring is proportional to its displacement from a rest position. m erefore, the biasing foroe will be determined both by t~e physical dimensions and characteristics of the c~il spring, and also by the extent of angular displacement~ It is presently preferred that in order to accommDdate a solid brass handle of approximately six inches length, medium gauge ooil spring 36 be biased to approximately eight degrees from its h e p~sition, that is, the already resiliently engaged position in which extension 44 and pin 50 are aligned. This requires drawing spring 36 approximately 30-45 degrees from its rest position (see Fig. la~ to the position in which the ends of the coil spring are crossed over to resiliently press inwardly against ~he stop pin 50 and extension 44 (see Figs. 1 and 4).
The invention having been disclosed, a number of variations will now oocur to persons skilled Ln the art. Reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the true scope of the subject invention.
Closure mechanisms for doors are mDre and more frequently designed with lever handies rather than doork~cbs to effect retraction of a bolt or the like. Handle mechanisms are usually cantilevered on a spindle, that is, a substantial portion of the weight of the lever handle is disposed asymmetrically around the axis of the spindle, whereby the foroe of gravity urges the spindle to rotate. The latch mechanism is normally spring-biased against rotation of the spindle, but with a very long or heavy handle, it may be necessary to somehow bias the lever handle to stay at a hcme position in order to prevent spontaneous opening of the latch mechanism.
~ lthough use of a lever handle causes an uneven weigh~ to be mounte~ on the spindle, such a lever handle is much easier for people to operate than the conventional doorknob in which the user-gripped portion of the latch is a smooth body having portions sym~etrically distributed around the axis of the spindle. Lever handles are normally easier to grasp than knobs, and allcw the user greater leverage on the spindle to cause retraction of the bolt mechanism and open the door. Lever handles are therefore preferable over knobs in many instanoe s. In some instances, lever handles are a necessity, for example, closures adapted for use in areas where users may be expected to be frequently carrying loads, and public buildings and the like which must be fully accessible to handicapped persons.
Standlrds for le~er handles for use by handicapped persons go beyond the simple requirement oE a cantilevered lever portion. A
handle oontour in the shape of a "C" is required according to some ~.
4 ~ ~ tj~
6tandards such that the greater part of the body of the lever handle is spaced (~ ~, 2 in. or 5.0 cm.~ fram the door, and th~ extreme end of the lever handle will be disposed within a nunimNm distan oe (e.g., 0.5 in. or 1.3 cm.) of the surfaoe of the door. The additional weight due to the segment spacing the end of th~ lev~r handle within the nu~Lunum distanoe required by the standards, results m a substantial adlitional weight placed well away fram the turning axis of the devioe , that is, the spindle. Of oourse, a rel~tively smaller weight placed at a greater distance from the axis will have the sa~e rokational force, or ~moment arm," as a relatively larger weight placed closer to the axis.
Use of a lever handle on a latch mechanism in which the spindle is rokatable in either direction is difficult because of the uneven load of the lever h2ndle. It has been known in the art to bias cantilevered lever handles agaLnst the foroe of gravity by use of a positive stcp defining a "hcme" position of the latch mechanism, the stap restricting spi~dle rotation to one direction. U.S. Patent No.
2,470,771-Harvey discloses a lever handle and bolt retraction nEchanism in which a coil spring wrapped around a hub attached to the spindle, within a mortise lock, biases the spindle against angular displacement from a home position. An additional ooil spring m~Nnted an a shaft carrying the retractable bolt also urges the hub and s~pindle to rotate opposite the kolt retraction direction. In other wsrds, the bolt spring biases t~he lever handle upwards against the for oe of gravity, an extension of a hub mounted to the spindle being resiliently urged against an imnovable ~butment within the latch ~echanism.
According to devices such as that of Harvey, it is known in the art to oppose the weight of a lever handle by biasing the handle uçwardly against a stop. The rest position of the lever handle may therefore be set at precisely horizontal, for optimNm accessiblity and neat ap~earance. No sagging of the handle position is expected because handle position does not relate to a balancing of springs which will wear and sag. During wear of the biasing springs in even a positively stopped latch, however, a lever handle which is inadequately biased upwards will tend to sag, leaving play in the lock and possibly causing spontaneous opening of the door. A lever handle which is disposed at all below horizontal in its rest position is noticeably slqppy in appearance. Therefore, it is oonventional practioe in the prior art to str~ngly bias the lever handle upwards.
According to prior art devices havinq a given biasing spring associated with a part of the latch mechanism for upwardly biasing the position of the lever handle, regardless of the handle or knob mounted on the spindle in a particular installation, the full upward force defined by the biasing spring remains. This bias is determined by the latch mechanism and is not variable as required for a certain handle.
Therefore, the user of any latch nEchanism was necessarily required to exert sufficient foroe to overoume the biasing built in for the worst case situation, that is, for a heavy cantilevered lever handle mEchanism.
m e present invention takes a different view of the use of lever handles, knobs and the like. According to the invention, the latch mechanism is prDvided with the ~inimum, rather than the maximum, foroe necessary to maintain the home position of the spindle. In other w~rds, the internal portion of the latch mechanism is adapted for reliable operation with the lightest of possible handles, rather than the heaviest. External tr~m fittings which are matched to the particular desired handle, offset the weight of the handle.
Acoordingly, it is possible to pr~vide a nearly balanoed, easily operated latch mechanism and a more or less biased external trim plate, as needed to balanoe the physical attributes of the particular knob or handle.
The variable bias trim nechanism aooDrding to the invention is aocomplished using a movable "home~ position defined by springs in the trim. m e mechanis~m is useful not only for ~cccrrDdbting various handle mechanisms and various moment anms, but also for acoommodating u~yusite handle mountings in which the direction of the spring bias must be reversed. According to the invention, one need only move the adjustable portion of the trim plate that defines the bias spring hcme position from one side of center to the other, in order tD change the trim bias from clockwise to counter-clockwise. Acoordingly, the trim is equally operable to bias lever handles on both sides of the door, a lever handle on one side and knob on the other, or as may otherwise be required for a range of handle nenbers.
U.S. Patent No. 2,729,485-Schlage shows a coil spring disposed in the trim on the surfaoe of a dcor, the coil spring being adapted to PZ~9l3~6 maintain a lever handle at a home posi~ion. Heavier springs are recomrended in connection with heavier lever handles, and the heavier springs are mDunted in trim mechanisms associated especially with such handles. The device relates spring tension to the lever handle, ~ut even given the foregoing description, Schlage fails to employ a mavable home position, whreby installation is facilitated and the devi oe is equally applicable to either side of the door. Instead, Schlage uses the device with a spindle which is rotatable in either direction to withdraw the boltO Accordingly, with wear on the springs, the Schlage device will be expected to sag, the unequal load caused by the cantilevered lever handle eventually altering the single spring's rest position or placing unequal stress on tw~ opposed springs. The Schlage dcvice is apparently designed to maintain symmetrical force around at least one immovable centering tab.
Therefore, even if the symmetrical nature of the devioe was somehow defeated, the user would be required to manually oppose the bias in onder to mount the respective parts, because of the immovable nature of the centering tab.
According to the present invention, not only a heavier spring, but also a movable hcme position may be associated with the trim mounted on the surfaoe of the door. Users need not therefore avercame worst-case biasing forces in order to use various cperators, mcluding lever h~dles. Installers need not overoame biasing at all in order to ~lign the trim for correct installation.
Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to p~ovide a surface moNnted trim mechanism tha~ adapts a range of handles, Lncluding l~ver handles, to a standard latch mechanism.
It is also an object of the invention to facilitate installation of a trim nechanism having means for biasing rotation of a spindle carried by the tr~m mEchanism.
It is another object of the invention to mLnimize insofar as possible the rotational force required to operate a latch mRchanism.
It is yet another object of the in~7ention to adapt a range of handles, including a variety of le~ers and knbbs, to a given latch mechanism using a bias-adjustable trim plate, the trim plate and c~erall canstruction being durable, inexpensive and dependable.
These and other objects are accomplished by a door handle mDunt for a door ha~ing a latch mechanism operable by rotation of a spindle, the spindle extending from the latch mechanism beyond a surfaoe of the door, the spindle being normally held at an angular position on the axis thereof defined by the latch mechanism, the mount comprising a lever handle rotationally fixed on the spindle, the handle being cantilevered on the spindle, gravity urging the spindle to rota~e; a trim plate n~unted on the surface of the door, the trim plate carrying a spring resiliently cpQosLng rDtation of the spindle fram an angular home position defined by the spring; and, means for altering the angular home position of the spring. ffl e door handle mount preferably employs a rotaticnal element disposed within the trim plate and fixed with respect to the spindle, a coil sprLng attache between the rotational element and a portion of the trim fixed to the door body exerting a force at least when the spindle is mDved from hcme position. In order to alter the biasing to accommcdate a lever handle of a different weight or moment arm, the abutment point between the spring and either the trim or the rotational element can be angularly displaced to change the amount of biasing force. Although such angular displaoement increases the rotational force required to o~erate the latch mechanism, the adjustable nature of the devioe allows the increase in rotational foroe to be set to the minimNm re~uired for optimum operation with a particular lever handle.
9~6 ~6--There are shown in the drawnngs the embsd}m.nts which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shcwn in the drawings, wherein.
Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the handle mDunt of the invention, the door being shown in phantom;
Fig. l(a~ is a detail exploded perspective view of a portion of the mDunt of Fig. l;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the asse~bled device according to the invention, as adapted for use with a rtise lo~k;
Fig. 3 is a cut-away perspective view of the portion of the mDrtise lock by which the upward rotation of the lever handle is limited;
Fig. 4 is a rear ele~ation view of an alternative embodiment of the invention; and, Figs. 5~a), 5(b) and 5~c) are perspective views of alternative lever handle embodlments.
Detailed ~escri~tion of the Preferred Embcdiments Aooording to the invention, the weight which is applied externally to the spindle of a latch mechanism by use of a non-symmetrical handle is offset ~y a movable biasing arrangement m the trim mechanism. As shown m Fig. 1, the parts required to acoomplish offsetting or biasing the lever handle or other operator are all mounted at the surface of a door 100, whereby the particular latch mechanism 66 can be standardized for a symmetrical or light-weight operator, rather than the worst ca æ cantilevered operator. m e trim offsets the load produced by the handle. me latch mechanism may be a light-weight or easily operated device, rather than a heavily biased mechanism in which springs for maintaining spindle position are chosen to offset the worst case expected load.
With reference to Fig. 1, different operators may be used ~ven on opposite sides of the same latch. Cantilevered handle 20 is shown mounted on one side of door 100, and symmetrical knob 40 on the other side. Spindle 30 may be a twc-segment device in which relatively rotatable ends are centrally attached by means of a threaded connection 38 (shown in Fig. 3), or the spindle 30 may be a rigid monolithic element, whereby the operation of either knob 40 or handle 20 would cause the opposite operator to rotate as well.
Handle 20 and knob 40 differ in that handle 20 is cantilevered with respect to the axis of spindle 30, and knob 40 is symmetrically weighted. Therefore, the force of gravity will urge spin le 30 to rotate ~clockwise in Fig. 1) to plaoe the center of mass of handle 20, spaced frcm the axis of spindle 30, at the lowest possible point.
Handle 20, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises a bacXward-turned extension 22 at the end of handle 20 opposite the spindle end, aggravating the tendency of sp ndle 30 to rotate, due to the mament anm, or leverage, exerted by weight 22 as spaced from the axis of spindle 30.
Both handle 20 and knob 40 are ~ored and broached to be axially mc~nted on spindle 30 and rotationally fixed thereto. Knbb 40 and handle 20 are also preferably axially fixed to spindle 30, for example, by means of transverse set screws directed against spindle 30, as known in the art. As shown in Fig. 1, in a preferred enbodlme~t, handle 20 is axially fixed to a flanged cylinder 26 by means of a nut 28 which is threadably affixed to an extension 24 of handle 20, after the extension is passed through a close-fitting hole in cylinder 26. Handle nut 28 is not threaded down tightly against cylinder 26, but instead, in order to allow relati~e rotation of handle 20 and cylinder 26, nut 28 is loosely threaded on extension 24, after which the threads of extension 24 are damaged to prevent removal of nut 28. Cylinder 26 is internally threaded to fit on rosette 34, also bored and broached to fit on the spindle. Upon installation, handle 20 (or knob 40) moves together with spindle 30 and rosette 34.
The axial position of spindle 30 with respect to latch nechanism 66 is determined by spindle pin 32, which passes transversely through a hole in spindle 30. In order to preclude axial movement of spindle 30 in either direction, an additional spindle pin (not shown) should be provided on the knob side of the door. In any event, the protruding portion of pin 32 is larger than the axial hole in the latch mechanism, preventing axial displacement of spindle 30.
The trim is rigidly mcunted directly to the surface of door 100 by ~eans of screws 42. Acoordingly, the base portion 62 of the trim plate is rigidly affixed to the door. In the event that a trim plate having non-circular external contour is used, it is important to correctly align base plate 62 of the trim plate before attaching it to the door. Use of a circular trim, as shcwn in Fig. 1, makes the ul~imate alignment less important for aesthetic reasons, h~wever, whether a circular or other type of trim plate is used, accordins to the invention, the trim backplate 62 must be correctly aligned in order to provide an offset foroe to counteract the cantilevered weight of handle 20. Inasmuch as the bias is in the trim, the trim is urged to rotate with respect to the hancle so long as the trim is unattached and/or the handle subject to a stop. OpFosing the biasing force inherent in the trim is difficult during installation of the trim, because only the backplate of the trim itself, and the relatively small diameter spindle, are ac oe ssible at that time. The installer may theiefore need to engage the spindle or trim with pliers in order to oppose the biasing force. According to the invention, h~wever, the bias is adjustable by mnving the effective home position, whereby the bias may be cancelled temporarily during installation.
Trim backplate 62 is centrally bored such that spindle 30 may rotate freely with respect to backplate 62. The trim includes the s~
additional rosette element 34, which is rotationally fixed t~ the spindle, and free to rotate within certain constraints, wqth respect to trim bac~plate 62. RDsette 34 is axially attached to backplate 62 using a washer and spring clip. The rotational freedom of motion of rotatable rosette 34, and the resultant freedom of mDtion of spindle 30, is determined by coil spring 36, which is oc~pressed from its rest position shown m Fig. 1 such that the ends of ~pring 36 press inwardly on extending pin 50. Pin 50 is rigidly kut mDvably mo~n~ed to trim backplate 62 by screw 56. Spring 36 also presses i~wardly on tab 44, extend mg from rotatable trim element 34. me coil spring exerts a force symmetrically inward arcund a home position detelmined by alignment of the tab 44 and pin 50. As rotational force is exerted on spindle 30 or handle 20, the spindle 30 and rotatable roætte ele~ent 34 rotabe. As the spindle rotates, tab 44 carries one or the other ends of coil spring 36 aw~y from pin 50 against the resilient for oe of the spring. ~hen the handle is released, coil spring 36 recoils toward its rest position and draws tab 44 back inbD alignment with pin 50, ~ringing the handle back to its hcme position. Trim cGver plate 60 threads onto backplate 62, concealing and prD~ecting the parts of the devioe.
m e aforesaid operation of coil sprLng 36 is added to any resilient bias inherent in latch mechanislm 66. Latch mechanism 66 may have an internal stap which deternines the maximum angular displacement of spindle 30 in one direction or the other. Latch mechanism 66 may also have a built in bias which is intended to offset a predetermined misbalanoe as might be caused by a lever handle~ Any biasing applied to the spindle must be overcome in operating the latch mEchanism, and therefore should be minImized. On the other hand, the lack of adequate bias, or an insufficient spring pressure, will cause the handle to droop or sag as the springs deteriorate with age and use under the weight of the handle.
The handle m~unt of the invention as asse~bled is shcwn in Fig.
2, ~ogether with a n~rtise lock. As known ~n the art, rotation of the spindle 30 (conoealed in Fig. 2) causes withdrawal of latch bolt 80, ~h~reoçon door 100 is released from a catch mcunted in the door jam.
Fig. 2 illustrates the inner or less secure side of the door, as is apparent because a turn piece ccntrol, rather than a key, contrDls extension and withdr~wal of khe lock bolt 82. Further operaticns ,G~ ~5~
det~nmined by rotation of the spindle via handle 20 will be controlled by the m~de changing nechanisms B4, 84 as known Ln the art.
With reference to Fig. 2, the decorative portion of the trim, including c~verplate 60, conceals and protects ~he mcunting means emplcyed. Preferably, ooverplate 60 is tightly fastened to the trim backplate 62, the plate 60 being rDtated using a spanner wrench.
Similarly, threaded cylLnder 26, axially affixed to handle 20 but rotatahly free thereof, is tightly fastened down on rotatable trim element 34 by maans of a spanner wrench. Accordingly, the handle 20, spindle 30 and rosette element 34 rotate together,while coverplate 60 and rearplate 62 remain attached to the door.
In order to comply with modern requir~ments for accessibility to handicapped persons, handle 20 is preferably provided with a rear-facing extension 22. In order to avDid the extensive rotational load on spindle 30 produced by a large cantilevered weight, it has been co~ventional to form handle 20 out of hollow stoc~ material, especially at handle extension 22. Various prooedures have been undertaken; however, it will be apprecia~ed that a solid metal handle is substantially more durable than a hollow tube, and provides the quality and security needed in a lock mechanism.
As shown in Fig. 3, the Lnternal workings of thle mortise lock Lnclude one or mor,e means to bias spindle 30 against a positive stop, setting the upward terminus of the lever handle. Hubs 90 are provided for each side of the door, each hub 90 being rotationally affixed to the respective ends of spindle 30. Spindle 30 is oentrally divided along a threaded connection member 38, thereby allowing the respective ends of the spindle to independently operate various portions within the n~rtise lock. As shown in Fig. 3, bDth hubs 90 oomprise extensions 92, which are adapted to rest against stop pin 88. Hubs 90 are urged against stop pin 88 by means of latch bolt operating lever 102, resiliently biased against the rear side of each hub extension 92, and also by a spring carried directly on each hub 90. A slot 94 is formed in the hub for receiving a coil spring 96. Coil spring 96 is wound around the hub and affixed by means of terminal bends to stop pin 86, and also to hub pin 98, affLxed to hub 90 and extending to slot 94. The effect is that th spindle can rotate in one direction (clockwise in Fig. 3), but the stop pin defines a ho~e position of the latch mechanism in the other direction.
In order to provide a standard mDrtise lock mechanism, it is desirable to minimize ~he biasLng force provided by the h~b springs 96, 96, by the latch bolt operating lever 102, ~nd by any other effective biasing elements. Such a light-weight or bias-fr~e ~peration allows ease of operation of the latch and lock in ~hat only a small force ~n the kn~b or handle is required in order to rotate the spindle to withdraw latch bolt 80, or to extend or withdraw lock bolt 82. It will also be apprecia~ed that the lack of bias permits use of available foroe to move the lock elements rather than merely to oppose springs.
The wrapped spring arrangement shown in Fig. 3 is especially adapted for use in a light-weight mechanism. Unlike the arrangement of coil spring 36 to bias rosette 34 against backplate 62 (see Fig.
1), in which the resFective ends of the spring are carried by pOrtiQnS
of relatively movable elements, there is virtually no relative movement between the ends of spring 96 and the pins 88, 98, to which the spring is affixed. Co~paring spring 6 (shcwn in Fig. 1~ and spring 96 (shown in Fig. 3), it will be appreciated that spring 36 will suffer a oe rtain amLunt of abrasion damage adjacent its ends due to frictional contact with pin 50 and/or tab 44. On the other hand, comparing the spring 96 shown in Fig. 3, as spindle 30 is rotated, the ends of spring 96 do not move with respect to pins 88, 98, but instead such rotation results only in a coiling or uncoiling of spring 96 along its overall length.
It will be appreciated that the spring 36 employed in the trim mechanis~m can also be formed in a coil having wrapped ends similar to that shown in Fig. 3. It is nevertheless p~esently preferred that the simple ooil spring of Fig. 1 be used m this portion of the latch mech2nism, inter alia, because it is applicable to various combin~tions of handles, passageway latches and mortise locks.
Fig. 4 illustrates an alternative enbodlment of the invention where an elongated escutcheon-type trim plate 110 is used in plaoe of the threadably attached trim plate 60 of Figs. 1 and 2. In this entodlm,nt, backplate 62 is attached to the trim plate 110 which trim plate is attached to the body of the door. In other respects, the ]mechanism is similar. In each preferred embodlment, the position of pin 50 is adjustable as required to set or c~ncel biasing foroe from spring 36. Pin 50 is preferably provided with at least tw3 angularly J~ 3856 spaced locations at which it can be locked with respect to the trim plate. As shown in Fig. 1, pin 50 is thus positioned either to the left or right of center, and rigidly attached using screw 56. Pin 50 comprises a cylindrical body carrying screw 56, which screw is threadably attachable to the cylindrical body to position pin 50 at any point along a rectangular h~le, for example at end positions 52, 54 thereof. The alternate positions 52, 54 may be straight bores, countersunk from the rear of the trim backplate 62, and attached to a threaded bore in m wable pin 50. Alternatively, holes 52, 54 can be threaded and the screw 56 inserted from the front.
The embodlment of Fig. 4 is analogous in that movable pin 50 may be placed at predetermined selec*ed positions, thereby altering the bias on the spindle. The bias may be initially set to alternately acccrmodate either a clockwise or counter-clockwise bia~.
Re~positioning pin 50 causes additional pressure to be exerted against the weight of the lever handle, through spring 36, rosette element 34 and spindle 30. Such re-positioning can be thought of as changing the "home" position sought by the trim mechanism Ln that spring 36 will tend to center trim element 34, and in particular tab 44, with respect to pin 50. Of course, the actual home position of the mechanism is set by the positive stop pin 88, located within the mortise lock, because regardless of the bias on the spindle, hub extension 92, as shcwn in Fig. 3, will positively stop rotation of the spindle (o~unterclockwise) when rested against pin 88. The change of pos}tian of pin 50 changes the extent to which spring 36 is deformed.
Therefore, rather than a change in actual h~me position normally assumed by the handle, moving the pin 50 effects a change in spring pressure or bias.
In normal installation on either the clockwise or counter-clockwise operating side of the door, the bias tending to relatively rotate the yet-to-be-attached tr~m with respect to the door, it can be quite ~ifficult to install trim backplate 62 or escutcheon plate 110 at the precise alignment required. Therefore, as shc~n in Fig. 1, the biasing trim device preferably also oomprises a renrNable spaoer, the dimensions of which spacer are selected to precisely cancel the spring bias resulting from t~e off-center placement of pin m~unting holes 52, 54. For example, when pin 50 is mounted at the left position, spacer 70 is set next to pin 50 on the right, and the respective ends of coil g~56 spring 36 are crossed to rest against pin 50 on one side and spacer 70 on the other side. With spacer 70 in place, the "home" position of trim backplate 62 is dead center. In this manner, the trim ali~nment, defined for example by the mounting holes for screws 42 in Fig. 1, may be set precisely horizontal, without the inconvenience of resisting the bias during installation as plate 62 is attached to the door.
Similarly, as shcwn in phantam in Fig. 4, the biasing-determined respective angles assumed by the trim and handle can be cancelled by means of such a spaoe r, whereupon escutcheon plate 110 may be precisely and vertically aligned with respect to the door. Having correctly placed the mcunting holes, the installer removes t~e spacer, and manually draws escutcheon plate 110 back to vertical for attachment to a rear-directed attachmen~ means (not shown). Finally, after installation, the trim plate, rather than the latch mechanism, provides the bias foroe which positively holds handle 20 at its upward maXimNm position.
m e precise am~unt of bias required to most dependably cancel the cantilevered weight of a lever handle will, of course, depend upon the precise construction of the handle. A few alternative lever har~le shapes are illustrated in Figs. 5(a), 5(b) and 5(c). The handle 120 of Fig. 5(a) ccNld be expected to present a medium weight. In Fig.
5(b), the addition of the rear-extendLng portion intended to bring the end of the handle to within a given distanoe from the surface of the door causes a much larger angular imbalanoe on the spindle for handle 122, and requires a greater bias. Fig. 5(c) illustrates a oo~promise eGbodlient handle 124 in which the rear-extending portion o,f the lever handle is angled, and therefore at least a part of the weight of the handle is located closer to the axis of the mLment arm, namely, spindle 30.
For a neat appearan oe, the lever handle m~st never dip below horizontal. Even a small sagging of a lever handle is easily noticed and appears very sloppy. It is presently preferred that the home position of the lever handle, as defined by stop pin 88, be set slightly abcve horizontal, with respect to the placement of the trim plate screws and the like. This deliberate upward displaoement, for example, of one degree, makes it less likely that a minor error in aligning the mDunting screws will result in a downwardly-directed handle. The small additional misalignment Ln an upward direction is ~r ~A~
much less noticeable than any sag, and results in an acceptable appearance.
The particular bias imparted by the coil spring 36 should be chosen based upon the particular lever handle emplc~ed. As well kncwn, the force exer*ed by a spring is proportional to its displacement from a rest position. m erefore, the biasing foroe will be determined both by t~e physical dimensions and characteristics of the c~il spring, and also by the extent of angular displacement~ It is presently preferred that in order to accommDdate a solid brass handle of approximately six inches length, medium gauge ooil spring 36 be biased to approximately eight degrees from its h e p~sition, that is, the already resiliently engaged position in which extension 44 and pin 50 are aligned. This requires drawing spring 36 approximately 30-45 degrees from its rest position (see Fig. la~ to the position in which the ends of the coil spring are crossed over to resiliently press inwardly against ~he stop pin 50 and extension 44 (see Figs. 1 and 4).
The invention having been disclosed, a number of variations will now oocur to persons skilled Ln the art. Reference should be made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing specification as indicating the true scope of the subject invention.
Claims (8)
1. A door handle mount for a door having a latch mechanism operable by rotation of a spindle, the spindle extending from the latch mechanism beyond a surface of the door, the spindle being normally held at an angular position on the axis thereof defined by the latch mechanism, the mount comprising:
a lever handle rotationally fixed on the spindle, the handle being cantilevered on the spindle, the handle defining an uneven weight urging the spindle to rotate;
a trim plate mounted on the surface of the door, the trim plate carrying a spring resiliently opposing rotation of the spindle from an angular home position of the spring; and, means for altering the angular home position of the spring.
a lever handle rotationally fixed on the spindle, the handle being cantilevered on the spindle, the handle defining an uneven weight urging the spindle to rotate;
a trim plate mounted on the surface of the door, the trim plate carrying a spring resiliently opposing rotation of the spindle from an angular home position of the spring; and, means for altering the angular home position of the spring.
2. The mount claim 1, wherein the spring is disposed against an abutment in the trim plate, the abutment being attachable at a plurality of angular positions on the trim plate.
3. The mount of claim 1, wherein the trim plate is mounted on the surface of the door at a predetermined angle independent of the angular home position of the spring.
4. The mount of claim 1, further comprising a rosette rotationally fixed on the spindle, the spring being disposed against the rosette and against the trim plate, at least one of the rosette and the trim plate having an angularly movable portion for engaging the spring.
5. The mount of claim 4, wherein the spring is a coil spring encircling the rosette, opposite ends of the coil spring being resiliently urged against a first post mounted on the trim plate and a second post mounted on the rosette, relative rotation of the rosette and trim plate moving the opposite ends against the force of the coil spring.
6. The mount of claim 5, wherein relative rotation of the rosette and trim plate separates the ends of the coil spring, the first post holding one of the ends and the second post holding the other of the ends.
7. The mount of claim 4, wherein at least and of the first and second posts is threadably attachable at either of two angularly-spaced locations.
8. The mount of claim 4, further comprising a removable spacer disposed between the spring and at least one of the rosette and the trim plate, whereby said angular home position is altered.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US583,829 | 1984-02-27 | ||
| US06/583,829 US4569547A (en) | 1984-02-27 | 1984-02-27 | Door handle mount |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1249856A true CA1249856A (en) | 1989-02-07 |
Family
ID=24334748
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000473106A Expired CA1249856A (en) | 1984-02-27 | 1985-01-29 | Door handle mount |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4569547A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1249856A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3444447A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2154439B (en) |
Families Citing this family (36)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4663950A (en) * | 1985-08-21 | 1987-05-12 | Rayma Development Corp. | Locking system for security door and window |
| US4674776A (en) * | 1986-03-03 | 1987-06-23 | Baldwin Hardware Corporation | Mortise lock having secured stops |
| US4653784A (en) * | 1986-05-27 | 1987-03-31 | Lee Raymond J | Spring-loaded oscillating cam latch |
| GB2198934A (en) * | 1986-11-22 | 1988-06-29 | Cartwright & Co Limited R | Lever handle |
| FR2610352B1 (en) * | 1987-02-03 | 1991-11-15 | Lubing International | PLATE FOR DOOR HANDLE |
| IL90915A (en) * | 1988-07-29 | 1991-05-12 | Emhart Ind | Lockset having improved actuator |
| CA2046829A1 (en) * | 1990-08-10 | 1992-02-11 | Gary R. Bergen | Door latch assembly |
| KR940010077B1 (en) * | 1992-04-21 | 1994-10-21 | 홍성일 | Pill coating machine |
| US5205596A (en) * | 1992-08-24 | 1993-04-27 | Cole-Sewell Corporation | Door latch member |
| US5335948A (en) * | 1992-10-16 | 1994-08-09 | Corbin Russwin, Inc. | Cylindrical lockset |
| US5322333A (en) * | 1992-10-16 | 1994-06-21 | Emhart Inc. | Cylindrical lockset |
| US5481890A (en) * | 1993-03-11 | 1996-01-09 | Millman; Norman A. | Cylindrical lockset knob to lever conversion assembly |
| US5529354A (en) * | 1994-07-08 | 1996-06-25 | Wright Products Corp. | Spring pack assembly |
| US5476295A (en) * | 1994-11-28 | 1995-12-19 | Schlage Lock Company | Door handle mounting assembly |
| US5727406A (en) * | 1996-02-29 | 1998-03-17 | Sargent Manufacturing Company | Lever assembly for high torque load |
| US6841544B2 (en) * | 2000-02-23 | 2005-01-11 | Bioselect Innovations, Inc. | Composition and method for treating the effects of diseases and maladies |
| US6463628B1 (en) * | 2001-07-02 | 2002-10-15 | Hua-Tung Yeh | Laminated-glass door handle assembly |
| SG104955A1 (en) * | 2001-12-31 | 2004-07-30 | Dinmex Mfg Inc | Door handle assembly |
| US6616203B1 (en) | 2002-08-26 | 2003-09-09 | Corbin Russwin, Inc. | Door latch operator mount |
| US7111879B2 (en) * | 2002-12-11 | 2006-09-26 | Tri/Mark Corporation | Latch assembly for movable closure element |
| US7188873B2 (en) | 2003-08-27 | 2007-03-13 | Stone River Bronze, Llc | Door handle system |
| US7077437B2 (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2006-07-18 | Sargent Manufacturing Company | Mortise lock integrated trim assembly with a retracting spindle |
| US20060131897A1 (en) * | 2004-12-17 | 2006-06-22 | The Steelworks Corporation | Door latch mounting bracket |
| TW200706748A (en) * | 2005-06-17 | 2007-02-16 | Gainsborough Hardware Ind Ltd | Door furniture assembly |
| US8322762B2 (en) * | 2009-02-27 | 2012-12-04 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Door gap adjustment for a motor vehicle |
| US9267310B2 (en) * | 2010-12-20 | 2016-02-23 | Industrilås i NässjöAB | Handle assembly for double-walled door |
| US9212506B2 (en) * | 2012-03-08 | 2015-12-15 | Schlage Lock Company Llc | System and method for adjusting the spring torque of a lock chassis |
| US9127484B2 (en) | 2012-06-27 | 2015-09-08 | Schlage Lock Company Llc | Lever droop adjuster for a door latch actuator |
| TWM454440U (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2013-06-01 | Real Locks & Security Co Ltd | Cabinet lock suitable for different plate thickness |
| US10508468B2 (en) | 2016-03-23 | 2019-12-17 | Schlage Lock Company Llc | Door lock chassis assembly |
| WO2018172834A1 (en) * | 2017-03-20 | 2018-09-27 | Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. | Door for a vehicle |
| TWM547016U (en) * | 2017-04-18 | 2017-08-11 | Taiwan Fu Hsing Industrial Co Ltd | Spring back device of lock structure |
| WO2020010438A1 (en) | 2018-07-12 | 2020-01-16 | Dormakaba Canada Inc. | Trim assembly for a door lock and method of assembling a handle thereof |
| DE102021210229A1 (en) | 2021-09-15 | 2023-03-16 | Karcher Gmbh | door locking system |
| USD991006S1 (en) * | 2021-09-16 | 2023-07-04 | Spectrum Brands, Inc. | Lever |
| USD1002328S1 (en) * | 2021-11-22 | 2023-10-24 | Assa Abloy Americas Residential Inc. | Handle |
Family Cites Families (17)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US412189A (en) * | 1889-10-01 | Sash-fastener | ||
| GB480364A (en) * | 1936-08-27 | 1938-02-22 | Harold Gilbert Ramsell | Improvements in and relating to spring loaded door handles or knobs |
| US2470771A (en) * | 1945-01-24 | 1949-05-24 | Independent Lock Co | Latch |
| US2631878A (en) * | 1948-11-17 | 1953-03-17 | Backhouse Headley Townsend | Door lock |
| US2729485A (en) * | 1951-08-20 | 1956-01-03 | Schlage Lock Co | Door lock spring unit |
| US2727773A (en) * | 1953-06-24 | 1955-12-20 | Safe Padlock And Hardware Comp | Door latch |
| US2985478A (en) * | 1958-10-27 | 1961-05-23 | Fred J Russell | Removable torsion spring assembly |
| DE1832349U (en) * | 1959-09-29 | 1961-05-31 | Werner Dr Ing Schlegel | HOLD-UP SPRING ARRANGEMENT ON DOOR PUSH SET. |
| GB923017A (en) * | 1961-02-16 | 1963-04-10 | Clifford Brothers Ltd | Lever handles for operating a latch or the spring bolt in a lock |
| GB937112A (en) * | 1961-04-13 | 1963-09-18 | Holden & Co B Ham Ltd E | Door furniture |
| US3211486A (en) * | 1962-11-30 | 1965-10-12 | Yale & Towne Inc | Mortise lock |
| US3418867A (en) * | 1966-11-19 | 1968-12-31 | Maeda Tetsuo | Handle control device for bicycle speed change gear |
| CA1039772A (en) * | 1975-01-20 | 1978-10-03 | Gordon A. Alexander | Mortise lock having internal auxiliary spring for lever handle |
| US4042268A (en) * | 1975-04-30 | 1977-08-16 | George Albert Carl Coglan | Latch or lock set and method of manufacture thereof |
| US3954292A (en) * | 1975-06-04 | 1976-05-04 | Amerock Corporation | Door latch with turnable lock button |
| US4123097A (en) * | 1977-05-31 | 1978-10-31 | Norris Industries, Inc. | Sectional entrance handle retract mechanism |
| US4453753A (en) * | 1982-06-04 | 1984-06-12 | Baldwin Hardware Manufacturing Corporation | Heat responsive door latch handle |
-
1984
- 1984-02-27 US US06/583,829 patent/US4569547A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1984-10-23 GB GB08426732A patent/GB2154439B/en not_active Expired
- 1984-12-06 DE DE19843444447 patent/DE3444447A1/en not_active Ceased
-
1985
- 1985-01-29 CA CA000473106A patent/CA1249856A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB2154439B (en) | 1987-06-03 |
| DE3444447A1 (en) | 1985-08-29 |
| GB2154439A (en) | 1985-09-11 |
| GB8426732D0 (en) | 1984-11-28 |
| US4569547A (en) | 1986-02-11 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |